Stephanie Rice on The Art of Wellness

WE CHAT WITH 3 x OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST & 5 X WORLD RECORD HOLDER STEPHANIE RICE ON INSPIRATION, HAPPINESS, HEALTH AND HER AND HER E-BOOK THE ART OF WELLNESS.

DOES REMEMBERING THE FEELING YOU HAD WHEN YOU WON THREE GOLD MEDALS FOR AUSTRALIA HELP YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH YOUR WILDEST DREAMS IF YOU SET YOUR MIND TO IT?

Funnily enough, I just had this feeling this morning while I was driving and thinking about my desires and dreams. It is most definitely something I am incredibly proud of, but its not at the forefront of my mind or something I think about very often. To me, there is so much more that I want to share with the world and Im honoured that my swimming success has given me a great platform to connect with people and yes, it does give me so much inner strength and knowing that I can do it.

DID YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT YOUR ABILITY TO SUCCEED?

Honestly, I never really looked at my swimming career as a success/fail thing. I absolutely loved swimming and I loved that I could make a career out of doing what I love and get paid for it – that to me was just a fantasy as a little girl, so being able to actually live it was magic. Obviously after winning 3 gold medals at the Olympics there was added pressure and expectation, but really that was my own expectations, but also a desire to prove to others. That really was the only hurdle for me, trying not to worry about other peoples perceptions and focus on me.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR OVERCOMING FEARS, THAT WOULD HELP ONE GAIN THE CONFIDENCE TO REALLY BELIEVE IN ONES DREAMS AND MAKE THEM HAPPEN?

I believe that fear is just the lack of self love. So when I put myself in a situation that I have doubts around I try to take that time to really connect in to where that fear is coming from and address it head on. When you do that it seems to dissipate the worries and concerns and usually leaves me feeling more empowered and with a deeper belief in myself. The other tip I would suggest is to just be gentle and easy on yourself, don’t try to rush things or make them happen – we all learn lessons in life, through successes and contrasts and all successful people are able to learn from both, so just nurture yourself through those processes.

WHEN IT COMES TO WORKING OUT, DO YOU EVER HAVE DAYS WHEN ITS HARD TO GET STARTED? HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO GET GOING ON THOSE DAYS?

Well I use to, but now I only workout when my body feel like it. In saying that, its not like every time I feel fantastic but I just listen to my body and push myself to my own capabilities for that session and that day. I workout around 3 times a week, as well as 2 walks and I focus on what I love about exercise. That has changed a lot now that I am not training for performance, rather exercising for a positive and healthy body. So when I am working out I think about my muscles and enjoy the mental clarity it brings and that feeling of momentum and confidence … thats the rush and thats why I like to workout.

WHO CURRENTLY INSPIRES YOU?

I absolutely admire Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie. To me they are inspirational strong women who are doing so much for this environment and world as well as being positive influences and role models. I would absolutely love for “RACERiCE”, my kids swimwear company, to be as impactful as Jessica Alba’s “The Honest Co” and give back to so many people who are less fortunate than myself.

PLEASE SHARE THE FIRST THREE THINGS THAT YOU THINK OF THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY?

• Being in an Aeroplane on my own and looking out the window and the huge world and possibilities around me.
• Anything to do with Angel Cards or spiritual learning. I love watching youtube of Doreen Virtue and Abraham Hicks.
• Sharing my experiences in person with others and seeing them really take in an appreciate the message I am sharing. To me, knowing I have been small part of shaping someone else life for the better brings me so much joy.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR SWIMMERS AND ATHLETES WITH ASPIRATIONS TO COMPETE IN THE OLYMPICS OR WHO ARE ON THAT PATH ALREADY?

To enjoy the moment and try and take it all in. Enjoying the small moments and memories created with those you love and care for is the stuff that will stick with you and that you will remember later on … and just be proud of what you have already done so far.

WE LOVE THE BOOK YOU HAVE CREATED WITH KRISTEN DAHL ‘THE ART OF WELLNESS’ CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT THIS … HOW DID IT ALL COME ABOUT?

Thank you, thats really nice to hear. For a long time I have been getting questions about what I eat and what advice I have for dealing with injuries and things like that, so I wanted to create something that I could share with others. When I met Kristin in LA, I just loved her philosophy and passion for holistic health and that was how “The Art of Wellness” was created. It really wasn’t a money making venture, more of a way to share with others some really great information to help empower others to make their own health choices with the information provided. You can check out Stephs e-book here

HOW DO YOU RELAX? WHAT DO YOU DO FOR DOWN TIME?

I love watching a TV series on the couch or in my bed on the laptop … usually with some snacks on my bedside table – to me thats luxury : )

Revolution Slider Error: Slider with alias steph_rice not found. Maybe you mean: 'Retreats' or 'COMO' or 'umaubud' or 'umaparo' or 'Retreat Individual' or 'umapunakha'